Method for setting image capture conditions and electronic device performing the same

ABSTRACT

Electronic devices and a method for setting image capture conditions are provided. An electronic device includes a camera module; a touch screen; and a processor configured to display a first user interface (UI) and a second UI on the touch screen if an input on the touch screen is held for at least a first period of time, wherein the first UI is configured to execute a first function of the camera module and the second UI is configured to execute a second function of the camera module.

PRIORITY

This continuation application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/597,916, filed Jan. 15, 2015 in theUnited States Patent and Trademark Office, which claims priority under35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0004993,filed Jan. 15, 2014, the contents of each of which are incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an electronic device, andmore particularly, to a method for setting various image captureconditions in an electronic device and an electronic device forperforming the same.

2. Background of the Invention

Mobile devices (or electronic devices) include high-end camerafunctions.

A user may experience difficulties when learning complex operatingmethods that are required to set image capture conditions of the cameramodules.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to address at least the aboveproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below. Accordingly, an aspect of the invention is directed toproviding a method for setting image capture conditions and anelectronic device for performing the same.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to providing acomputer-readable recording medium for recording a program forperforming the method in a computer.

According to an aspect of the present invention, an electronic device isprovided. The electronic device includes a camera module; a touchscreen; and a processor configured to display a first user interface(UI) and a second UI on the touch screen if an input on the touch screenis held for at least a first period of time, wherein the first UI isconfigured to execute a first function of the camera module and thesecond UI is configured to execute a second function of the cameramodule.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method forsetting image capture conditions is provided. The method includesreceiving, by a touch screen, an input; displaying on the touch screen,by a processor, a first user interface (UI) and a second UI if the inputon the touch screen is held for at least a first period of time, whereinthe first UI is configured to execute a first function of a cameramodule and the second UI is configured to execute a second function ofthe camera module.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronicdevice is provided. The electronic device includes a camera module; atouch screen; and a processor configured to display a first userinterface (UI) and a second UI on the touch screen if an input on apreview image on the touch screen is held for at least a first period oftime, wherein the first UI is configured to execute a first function ofthe camera module and the second UI is configured to execute a secondfunction of the camera module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A to 2D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which a focus area and an exposure area are set, according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which a white balance area is set, according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which the focus area and the white balance area are set,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which a plurality of exposure areas are set, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which a plurality of exposure areas are set, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which a step function is set for a plurality of exposureareas, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which the lockingfunction is set, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A to 9D are diagrams illustrating a screen on which the focusarea and the exposure area are set, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which a setfocus area is moved, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which the focusarea and the white balance area are overlapped due to movement of theset white balance area, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which the focusarea and the white balance area are overlapped due to generation of thewhite balance area, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a screen on which a setexposure area is moved, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which a settingis released, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which a settingis released, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar componentsmay be designated by the same or similar reference numerals althoughthey are illustrated in different drawings. Detailed descriptions ofconstructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoidobscuring the subject matter of the present invention.

The terms “first”, “second”, “A”, “B”, “(a)”, “(b)” and the like may beused herein to describe elements of the embodiments of the presentinvention. However, the terms are only used to distinguish one elementfrom other elements, and the attributes and the order of the elementsare not limited by the terms. It will be understood that when an elementis referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, itcan be directly connected or coupled to the other element, orintervening elements may be present.

In the drawings, some elements may be exaggerated, omitted, orschematically illustrated. The sizes of elements in the drawings do notreflect the actual sizes of the elements. Therefore, the presentdisclosure is not limited to the relative sizes or distances among theelements illustrated in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an electronic device 100 includes a camera module110, a touch screen 120, and a control unit 130. Those skilled in theart would understand that general elements other than those elementsillustrated in FIG. 1 may also be further included in the electronicdevice.

The electronic device 100, according to an embodiment of the presentembodiment, may set image capture conditions on the basis of a touchinput sensed by the touch screen 120, and may capture a photographaccording to the set image capture conditions.

The electronic device 100, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, may be embodied as a cell phone, a smartphone, a tabletpersonal computer (PC), a notebook computer, a terminal for digitalbroadcast, a digital camera, a portable game terminal, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), anavigator, or a printer provided with the camera module 110. However,the electronic device 100 is not limited thereto, and may be embodied asany data communication device or multimedia device provided with thecamera module 110 and an application device therefor.

The camera module 110 provides an image capture function. The cameramodule 110 may obtain a still image or a video. The camera module 110,according to an embodiment of the present invention, may provide atleast one of the functions of auto focus, auto exposure, and customwhite balance. However, the camera module 110 is not limited thereto,and may provide various other functions such as zoom in, zoom out, imagecapture, continuous image capture, timer, flash, screen mode, andfilter.

A user may set image capture conditions and obtain a desired image usingthe functions provided by the camera module 110. The camera module 110may capture a photograph according to the set image capture conditions.

The camera module 110 may provide, through the touch screen 120, apreview or liveview image to show in advance an image to be captured inan image capture mode. When the image capture conditions are set by theuser, the camera module 110 may provide the preview or liveview image towhich the image capture conditions are applied.

The camera module 110, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, may include a capturing device for obtaining an image and animage sensor for processing an obtained still image or video. The cameramodule 110 may further include an image processor for performing imageprocessing on the still image or video obtained by the image sensor.

The touch screen 120 displays a screen and senses a touch input on thescreen according to a control signal of the control unit 130.

The touch screen 120 displays an area related to a predeterminedfunction according to a touch input of the user. For example, when thetouch input of the user is sensed by the touch screen 120, the touchscreen 120 may display, on a touch-input-sensed position, a focus areathat is a criterion of auto focus, an exposure area that is a criterionof auto exposure, and a white balance area that is a criterion of customwhite balance in predetermined forms.

The touch screen 120 may display a plurality of areas related topredetermined functions in different sizes and forms. For example, thetouch screen 120 may display the focus area in the form of a quadrangleand may display the exposure area in the form of a rounded quadranglelarger than the focus area. The touch screen 120 may display the whitebalance area in the form of a dotted-line rectangle larger than thefocus area and the exposure area. The areas related to the predeterminedfunctions, such as, for example, the focus area, the exposure area, andthe white balance area, described herein and illustrated in thedrawings, are merely examples, and the areas are not limited thereto interms of the forms and sizes thereof.

The touch screen 120 may convert changes of states of sensors providedto a surface of the touch screen 120, such as, for example, a change ofpressure applied to the surface, a change of capacitance, and a changeof light intensity, into electric signals to sense a touch input.

The touch screen 120 may be one of various types of touch screens suchas, for example, a resistive touch screen, a capacitive touch screen, anultrasonic touch screen, an infrared touch screen, and the like.Hereinafter, the touch screen 120 is described as a capacitive touchscreen that senses a touch input based on a contact of a body or objecton the surface of the touch screen 120.

The touch screen 120 may sense a motion or pattern of the touch input ofthe user. The touch screen 120 may sense the position, the duration, themotion, a starting point, a finishing point, a movement direction, amovement distance, or a moving speed of the touch input at the time ofthe motion, using state changes of the sensors. For example, the touchscreen 120 may sense a touch input such as a drag, flick, tap, touch andhold, double tap, panning, or sweep.

The touch screen 120 may transmit a sensed touch input to the controlunit 130. On the basis of the sensed touch input, the control unit 130may allow a corresponding function to be performed according to themotion or pattern of the touch input of the user.

For example, the control unit 130 may perform a control operation sothat at least one of the focus area, the exposure area, the whitebalance area, and an area related to a predetermined function isgenerated, moved, or removed according to a type of the touch input,e.g., tap, drag, long touch, or double tap, sensed by the touch screen120.

The control unit 130 controls the overall operation of the electronicdevice 100 including the camera module 110 and the touch screen 120.According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit130 may include at least one processor.

The control unit 130 may control the touch screen 120 so that an arearelated to a predetermined function, e.g., the focus area, the exposurearea, or the white balance area, is displayed on a position desired bythe user, based on the touch input sensed by the touch screen 120.

The control unit 130 may control the camera module 110 so that thepredetermined function, e.g., the auto exposure, the auto focus, or thecustom white balance, is set in a position desired by the user, based onthe touch input sensed by the touch screen 120.

When the touch input is released after the area related to thepredetermined function is displayed, the control unit 130 may controlthe camera module 110 so that the camera module 110 automaticallycaptures a photograph by applying the predetermined function withrespect to the area related to the predetermined function displayed onthe touch screen 120 at the time of the release of the touch input. Whenat least two areas, among at least one area related to a first function,at least one area related to a second function, and at least one arearelated to the predetermined function, are displayed on the touch screen120 at the time of the release of the touch input, the control unit 130may control the camera module 110 so that the camera module 110 capturesa photograph by applying all of the functions corresponding to theplurality of areas.

Hereinafter, the setting of the auto focus, the auto exposure, and thecustom white balance, among the various functions provided by the cameramodule 110, are described as an example. However, an area related to apredetermined function may be displayed and the predetermined functionmay be set in the same manner as that for the auto focus, the autoexposure and the custom white balance.

The auto focus (also referred to herein as “AF”) may be set bygenerating the focus area on the touch screen 120. The control unit 130may set the auto focus based on a position of the focus area.

The auto exposure (also referred to herein as “AE”) may be set bygenerating the exposure area on the touch screen 120. The control unit130 may adjust an exposure value (also referred to herein as “EV”) basedon a position of the exposure area.

The custom white balance (also referred to herein as “CWB”) may be setby generating the white balance area on the touch screen 120. Thecontrol unit 130 may adjust the custom white balance based on a positionof the white balance area.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronicdevice 100 may further include a storage unit 140.

The storage unit 140, which is a typical storage medium, may include acaptured image obtained by the camera module 110. Furthermore, thestorage unit 140 may store information displayed on the touch screen120.

The storage unit 140 may store data or a program required for the cameramodule 110 to capture a photograph or for the touch screen 120 todisplay a screen or control a touch input. Furthermore, the storage unit140 may store a program routine or a command set required for thecontrol unit 130 to control the camera module 110 or the touch screen120. In addition, the storage unit 140 may store data or a program foroperating the electronic device 100. The storage unit 140, according toan embodiment of the present invention, may be implemented with a HardDisk Drive (HDD), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory(RAM), a flash memory, a memory card, a NAND memory, or a Solid StateDrive (SSD).

FIGS. 2A to 2D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which the focus area and the exposure area are set, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

The setting of the auto focus and the auto exposure, among the variousfunctions, is described in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. However, an area related to a predetermined function may bedisplayed and the predetermined function may be set in the same manneras that described herein for the auto focus and the auto exposure.Therefore, a focus area 10 and an exposure area 20 may represent an arearelated to a first function and an area related to a second function,respectively.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating the focus area 10 generated on thetouch screen 120 by a touch of the user.

In the image capture mode, the touch screen 120 senses a first touchinput of the user, and generates the focus area 10 at a first positionon the touch screen 120 where the first touch input occurred.

For example, the user may touch the touch screen 120 with a finger togenerate the first touch input. The user may also use a part of the bodyother than the fingers or an object capable of changing the states ofthe sensors of the touch screen 120, such as, for example, a touch pen,to generate the touch input.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the exposure area 20 generated on thetouch screen 120 by holding a touch by the user.

When the first touch input of the user is held for at least a firstperiod of time at the first position, the touch screen 120 generates theexposure area 20 at the first position on the touch screen 120, so thatthe focus area 10 and the exposure area 20 are overlapped.

The exposure area 20 may be different from the focus area 10 in terms ofat least one of shape, size, and color, so that the overlapped areas aredistinguished from each other. For example, the focus area 10 may have aquadrilateral shape, and the exposure area 20 may have a roundedquadrilateral shape and may be larger than the focus area 10. However,the shapes and sizes of the focus area 10 and the exposure area 20 arenot limited thereto, and the focus area 10 and the exposure area 20 mayhave various shapes and sizes.

FIG. 2C is a diagram illustrating that the exposure area 20 is moved onthe touch screen 120 by moving a touch by the user.

When the first touch input of the user is moved on the touch screen 120,the touch screen 120 moves the exposure area 20 according to themovement of the first touch input. The focus area 10 is maintained atthe first position and is not moved with the exposure area 20. That is,when the user moves the touch that has generated the focus area 10 onthe touch screen 120 without releasing the touch, the exposure area 20is moved separately from the focus area 10.

FIG. 2D is a diagram illustrating the focus area 10 and the exposurearea 20 set on the touch screen 120 by releasing the touch of the user.

When the first touch input of the user is released after moving from thefirst position by at least a predetermined distance, the touch screen120 displays the exposure area 20 at a position where the first touchinput has been released. If the first touch input is released within thepredetermined distance from the first position, the exposure area 20disappears without being displayed on the touch screen 120.

That is, when the user releases the touch that has generated the focusarea 10 on the touch screen 120, after moving the touch by thepredetermined distance, the focus area 10 and the exposure area 20 areset apart from each other. In this manner, the user may set the focusarea 10 and the exposure area 20 at desired positions using a singletouch.

This embodiment of the present invention resolves the inconvenience of aconventional image capture condition setting method according to whichthe focus area and the exposure area are generated and then moved todesired positions by touching each of the focus area and the exposurearea.

Furthermore, this embodiment of the present invention resolves theinconvenience of a conventional image capture condition setting methodaccording to which the focus area and the exposure area are concurrentlygenerated so as to be overlapped, and are then separated from each otherby a precise touch in order to set the focus area and the exposure area.

Moreover, this embodiment of the present invention resolves theinconvenience of a conventional image capture condition setting methodaccording to which the focus area is generated first, and then theexposure area is set by selecting one corner of the focus area with aprecise touch.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after setting thefocus area 10 and the exposure area 20 on the touch screen 120 asdescribed above, the control unit 130 may provide a locking function 50for preventing the set focus area 10 and exposure area 20 from beingmoved or removed, as described in greater detail below with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which the white balance area is set, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

An area related to a predetermined function may be displayed and thepredetermined function may be set in the same manner as that of thewhite balance. Therefore, the focus area 10, the exposure area 20, and awhite balance area 30 may represent the area related to the firstfunction, the area related to the second function, and an area relatedto a third function, respectively.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating that the user touches the exposurearea 20 displayed on the touch screen 120.

The touch screen 120 displays the focus area 10 and the exposure area20, and senses a second touch input of the user. The second touch inputis a new touch input occurring on the exposure area 20. A position wherethe second touch input has occurred is referred to as a second position.

The present invention is not limited to an embodiment in which the focusarea 10 and the exposure area are displayed on the screen. Thus, if atleast one exposure area 20 is displayed on the screen, the white balancearea 30 may be generated using the displayed exposure area 20.

FIG. 3B is a diagram illustrating that the white balance area 30 isgenerated on the touch screen 120 by holding a touch by the user.

When the second touch input of the user is held for at least the firstperiod of time at the second position, the touch screen 120 generatesthe white balance area 30 at the second position on the touch screen 120so that the exposure area 20 and the white balance area 30 overlap. Thatis, when the user holds the touch on the exposure area 20 for apredetermined period of time without releasing the touch, the whitebalance area 30 may be generated.

The white balance area 30 may be different from the focus area 10 andthe exposure area 20 in terms of at least one of shape, size, and color,so that the white balance area 20 is distinguished from the focus area10 and the exposure area 20. For example, the shape of the white balancearea 30 may be a dotted-line rectangle larger than the focus area 10 andthe exposure area 20. However, the shape and size of the white balancearea 30 are not limited thereto, and the white balance area 30 may havevarious shapes and sizes different from those of the focus area 10 andthe exposure area 20.

FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating that the white balance area 30 ismoved on the touch screen 120 by moving a touch by the user.

When the second touch input of the user is moved on the touch screen120, the touch screen 120 moves the white balance area 30 according tothe movement of the second touch input. The exposure area 20 ismaintained at the second position without being moved with the whitebalance area 30. That is, when the user moves the touch that hasgenerated the white balance area 30 on the touch screen 120, withoutreleasing the touch, the white balance area 30 may be moved separatelyfrom the exposure area 20.

FIG. 3D is a diagram illustrating that the white balance area 30 is seton the touch screen 120 by releasing a touch by the user.

When the second touch input of the user is released while separated fromthe second position by at least a predetermined distance, the touchscreen 120 displays the white balance area 30 at a position where thesecond touch input has been released. If the second touch input isreleased within the predetermined distance from the second position, thewhite balance area 30 disappears without being displayed on the touchscreen 120.

That is, when the user releases the touch that has generated the whitebalance area 30 on the touch screen 120, after moving the touch by atleast the predetermined distance, the white balance area 30 may be setat a desired position apart from the exposure area 20.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which the focus area and the white balance area are set,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating the focus area 10 generated on thetouch screen 120 by a touch of the user.

In the image capture mode, the touch screen 120 senses the first touchinput of the user, and generates the focus area 10 at the first positionon the touch screen 120 where the first touch input has occurred.

FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating that the exposure area 20 is generatedon the touch screen 120 by holding a touch by the user.

When the first touch input of the user is held for at least the firstperiod of time at the first position, the touch screen 120 generates theexposure area 20 at the first position so that the focus area 10 and theexposure area 20 overlap. That is, when the user holds the touch thathas generated the focus area 10 on the touch screen 120 for apredetermined period of time without releasing the touch, the exposurearea 20 may be generated.

FIG. 4C is a diagram illustrating that the exposure area 20 disappearsand the white balance area 30 is generated on the touch screen 120 byholding a touch by the user.

When the first touch input of the user is held for at least a secondperiod of time, which is longer than the first period of time, at thefirst position, the exposure area 20 disappears and the white balancearea 30 is generated at the first position on the touch screen 120 sothat the focus area 10 and the white balance area 30 overlap. That is,when the user holds the touch that has generated the focus area 10 for apredetermined period of time, without releasing the touch, even afterthe exposure area 20 is generated, the exposure area 20 may disappearand the white balance area 30 may be generated.

FIG. 4D is a diagram illustrating that the white balance area 30 ismoved on the touch screen 120 by moving a touch by the user.

When the first touch input of the user is moved on the touch screen 120,the touch screen 120 moves the white balance area 30 according to themovement of the first touch input. The focus area 10 is maintained atthe first position without being moved with the white balance area 30.That is, when the user moves the touch that has generated the focus area10 on the touch screen 120 without releasing the touch, the whitebalance area 30 may be moved separately from the focus area 10.

Thereafter, when the user releases the first touch input spaced apartfrom the first position by at least a predetermined distance, the whitebalance area 30 may be set at a position where the first touch input hasbeen released. If the first touch input is released within thepredetermined distance from the first position, the white balance area30 disappears without being displayed on the touch screen 120.

In this manner, the user may set the focus area 10 and the white balancearea 30 at desired positions using a single touch. Furthermore, the usermay set the white balance area 30 without setting or using the exposurearea 20.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after setting thefocus area 10 and the white balance area 30 on the touch screen 120 asdescribed above, the control unit 130 may provide the locking function50 for preventing the set focus area 10 and white balance area 30 frombeing moved or removed.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which a plurality of exposure areas are set, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

Setting of the auto exposure, among the various functions, is describedaccording to an embodiment of the present embodiment. However, an arearelated to a predetermined function may be displayed and thepredetermined function may be set in the same manner as that of the autoexposure. Therefore, the focus area 10, the exposure area 20 and asecond exposure area 22 may represent the area related to the firstfunction, a first area related to the second function and a second arearelated to the second function, respectively.

A screen on which the focus area 10 and the exposure area 20 aredisplayed is used as an example to describe this embodiment of thepresent invention. However, the embodiments of the present invention arenot limited thereto, and thus, if at least one exposure area 20 isdisplayed on the screen, a new exposure area may be generated using thedisplayed exposure area 20.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, an exposure area that ispreviously generated and displayed on the touch screen 120 is referredto as the first exposure area 20, and an exposure area newly generatedfrom the first exposure area 20 is referred to as the second exposurearea 22.

FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating that the user touches the firstexposure area 20 displayed on the touch screen 120.

The touch screen 120 displays the focus area 10 and the first exposurearea 20, and senses a second touch input of the user. The second touchinput is a new touch input occurring on the first exposure area 20. Aposition where the second touch input has occurred is referred to as thesecond position.

FIG. 5B is a diagram illustrating that the second exposure area 22 isgenerated on the touch screen 120 by holding a touch by the user.

When the second touch input of the user is held for at least the firstperiod of time at the second position, the touch screen 120 generatesthe second exposure area 22 at the second position on the touch screen120 so that the first exposure area 20 and the second exposure area 22overlap. That is, when the user holds the touch on the first exposurearea 20 for a predetermined period of time without releasing the touch,the second exposure area 22 may be generated.

The second exposure area 22 may be different from the first exposurearea 20 in terms of size so as to be distinguished from the firstexposure area 20. For example, the second exposure area 22 may be largerthan the first exposure area 20. However, the shapes and sizes of thefirst and second exposure areas 20 and 22 are not limited to thoseillustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5D.

FIG. 5C is a diagram illustrating that the second exposure area 22 ismoved on the touch screen 120 by moving a touch by the user.

When the second touch input of the user is moved on the touch screen120, the touch screen 120 moves the second exposure area 22 according tothe movement of the second touch input. The first exposure area 20 ismaintained at the second position without being moved with the secondexposure area 22. That is, when the user moves the touch that hasgenerated the second exposure area 22 on the touch screen 120 withoutreleasing the touch, the second exposure area 22 may be moved separatelyfrom the first exposure area 20.

FIG. 5D is a diagram illustrating that the second exposure area 22 isset on the touch screen 120 by releasing a touch by the user.

When the second touch input of the user is released while being spacedapart from the second position by at least a predetermined distance, thetouch screen 120 displays the second exposure area 22 at a positionwhere the second touch input has been released. If the second touchinput is released within the predetermined distance from the secondposition, the second exposure area 22 disappears without being displayedon the touch screen 120.

That is, when the user moves the touch that has generated the secondexposure area 22 on the touch screen 120 by at least the predetermineddistance and then releases the touch, the second exposure area 22 may beset at a desired position apart from the first exposure area 20.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the secondtouch input is released, the second exposure area 22 may be reduced tothe size of the first exposure area 20.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when two or moreexposure areas are displayed on the touch screen 120, the control unit130 may perform a control operation so that the auto exposure is setwith an average of the two or more exposure areas to capture aphotograph.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when two or moreexposure areas are displayed on the touch screen 120, the control unit130 may provide a step function 40 for sequentially setting the autoexposure for each of the two or more exposure areas sequentially, asdescribed in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 7A and 7B.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which a plurality of exposure areas are set, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The focus area 10, the first exposure area 20, the second exposure area22, and a third exposure area 24 may represent the area related to thefirst function, the first area related to the second function, thesecond area related to the second function, and a third area related tothe second function, respectively.

A screen on which the focus area 10 and two exposure areas, i.e., thefirst exposure area 20 and the second exposure area 22, are displayed isused as an example in describing this embodiment of the presentembodiment. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto, andthus, may include a plurality of exposure areas.

Hereinafter, an exposure area newly generated from an exposure areapreviously generated and displayed on the touch screen 120 is referredto as the third exposure area 24.

FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating that the user touches the secondexposure area 22 displayed on the touch screen 120.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the third exposure area 24is generated from the second exposure area 22. However, the presentembodiment is not limited thereto, and thus, the third exposure area 24may be generated from at least one of the plurality of exposure areas.

The touch screen 120 displays the focus area 10 and two exposure areas,i.e., the first exposure area 20 and the second exposure area 22, andsenses the third touch input of the user. The third touch input may be anew touch input occurring on the second exposure area 22. Here, aposition where the third touch input has occurred is referred to as athird position.

FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating that the third exposure area 24 isgenerated on the touch screen 120 by holding a touch by the user.

When the third touch input of the user is held for at least the firstperiod of time at the third position, the touch screen 120 generates thethird exposure area 24 at the third position on the touch screen 120 sothat the second exposure area 22 and the third exposure area 24 overlap.The third exposure area 24 may be different from the first exposure area20 and the second exposure area 22 in terms of size so as to bedistinguished from the first exposure area 20 and the second exposurearea 22. For example, the third exposure area 24 may be larger than thefirst exposure area 20 and the second exposure area 22.

FIG. 6C is a diagram illustrating that the third exposure area 24 ismoved on the touch screen 120 by moving a touch by the user.

When the third touch input of the user is moved on the touch screen 120,the touch screen 120 moves the third exposure area 24 according to themovement of the third touch input. The second exposure area 22 ismaintained at the third position without being moved with the thirdexposure area 24.

FIG. 6D is a diagram illustrating that the third exposure area 24 is seton the touch screen 120 by releasing a touch by the user.

When the third touch input of the user is released while being spacedapart from the third position by at least a predetermined distance, thetouch screen 120 displays the third exposure area 24 at a position wherethe third touch input has been released. If the third touch input isreleased within the predetermined distance from the third position, thethird exposure area 24 disappears without being displayed on the touchscreen 120.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, after the thirdtouch input is released, the second exposure area 22 and the thirdexposure area 24 may be reduced to the size of the first exposure area20.

In this manner, the user may set a plurality of exposure areas atdifferent positions on the touch screen 120 by repeatedly generating anew exposure area from one exposure area.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams illustrating a screen of the electronicdevice on which a step function is set for a plurality of exposureareas, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a screen on which a step function 40is set for the plurality of exposure areas.

When at least two exposure areas are displayed on the touch screen 120,the control unit 130 may provide the step function 40 on the touchscreen 120. The step function 40 allows the auto exposure to besequentially set for each of the plurality of exposure areas. Asillustrated in FIG. 7A, the step function 40 is displayed on the touchscreen 120 in the form of a step button.

When the user selects the step function 40, the control unit 130 mayperform a control operation so that the step function 40 is applied toat least two exposure areas displayed on the touch screen 120 in orderto capture a photograph. If the user does not select the step function40, the control unit 130 may perform a control operation so that theauto exposure is set with an average of at least two exposure areas.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a screen on which the step function 40is applied to the plurality of exposure areas.

When the step function 40 is applied to the plurality of exposure areas,the control unit 130 determines an order of applying the plurality ofexposure areas displayed on the touch screen 120.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 7B, the touch screen 120 may display the order of applying theplurality of exposure areas. For example, the control unit 130 maydetermine the order of applying the plurality of exposure areasaccording to an order of generating the plurality of exposure areas.Alternatively, the control unit 130 may determine the order of applyingthe plurality of exposure areas in consideration of positions at whichthe plurality of exposure areas are displayed on the touch screen 120.

When the order of applying the plurality of exposure areas isdetermined, the control unit 130 may sequentially set the auto exposurefor each of the plurality of exposure areas, and the camera module 110may sequentially capture a photograph corresponding to each setting ofthe auto exposure.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the stepfunction 40 is applied to the plurality of exposure areas, the touchscreen 120 may display a “step on” indicator 45 to indicate that thestep function 40 is applied to the plurality of exposure areas, asillustrated in FIG. 7B.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which the lockingfunction is set, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The focus area 10 and the exposure area 20 are used to describe thisembodiment of the present invention. However, the embodiments of presentinvention are not limited thereto.

Thus, the locking function 50 may be applied to one or more of a focusarea, an exposure area, and a white balance area.

FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a screen on which the locking function50 is set.

When at least one of the focus area, the exposure area, and the whitebalance area is displayed on the touch screen 120, the control unit 130may provide the locking function 50 to at least one of the displayedareas. The locking function 50 prevents the at least one of thedisplayed areas from being moved or removed. As illustrated in FIG. 8A,the locking function 50 may be displayed on the touch screen 120 in theform of a lock button (shown as “Lock”).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when at least oneof the focus area, the exposure area, and the white balance area isdisplayed on the touch screen 120, and the user selects the lockingfunction 50, the control unit 130 may apply the locking function 50 tothe displayed areas. That is, for example, the locking function 50 maybe applied to the focus area 10 and the exposure area 20, as illustratedin FIG. 8A.

However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto, and thus, the control unit 130 may apply the locking function50 to each of the focus area 10 and the exposure area 20.

FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a screen on which the locking function50 is applied.

When the locking function 50 is set on the focus area 10 and theexposure area 20 displayed on the touch screen 120, the locked focusarea 10 and exposure area 20 are maintained at the same positions evenafter a photograph is captured.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 8B, the touch screen 120 may indicate that the focus area 10 andthe exposure area 20 are in a locked state.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIG. 8B, the touch screen 120 may display an unlock button 55 forreleasing the locking function 50 when the locking function 50 is set.

FIGS. 9A to 9D are diagrams illustrating a screen on which the focusarea and the exposure area are set, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, unlike theembodiment of FIGS. 2A to 2D, a time required until the exposure area 20is generated after the focus area 10 is generated may be displayed onthe touch screen 120 so that the user is able to check the time. In thisembodiment of the present invention, the time is displayed in such amanner that an outline of the exposure area 20 is gradually filled astime elapses after displaying the outline of the exposure area 20.However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto, and thus, the time required until the exposure area 20 isgenerated may be displayed on the touch screen 120 in various forms.

FIG. 9A is a diagram illustrating the focus area 10 generated on thetouch screen 120 by a touch of the user.

In the image capturing mode, the touch screen 120 senses the first touchinput of the user, and generates the focus area 10 at the first positionon the touch screen 120 where the first touch input has occurred.

FIG. 9B is a diagram illustrating the outline of the exposure area 20generated on the focus area 10 on the touch screen 120.

When the first touch input is maintained at the first position after thefocus area 10 is generated at the first position, the touch screen 120displays the outline of the exposure area 20 at a position where theexposure area 20 is to be generated so that the outline overlaps thefocus area 10.

FIG. 9C illustrates that the outline of the exposure area 20 is filledon the touch screen when the touch of the user is held.

When the first touch input is held at the first position, the touchscreen 120 gradually fills the outline of the exposure area 20 as timeelapses after the focus area 10 is generated.

FIG. 9D illustrates that the outline of the exposure area 20 is filledon the touch screen 120 when the touch of the user is held.

When the first touch input is held at the first position, the touchscreen 120 fills the outline of the exposure area 20 as time elapsesuntil the holding time of the first touch input reaches the first periodof time.

When the holding time of the first touch input reaches the first periodof time, the touch screen 120 generates the exposure area 20 so that thefocus area 10 and the exposure area 20 overlap at the first position onthe touch screen 120. As described above with reference to FIGS. 2A to2D, when the first touch input of the user is released while beingspaced apart from the first position by at least a predetermineddistance, the exposure area 20 may be displayed at a position where thefirst touch input has been released.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which a setfocus area is moved, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The focus area 10, the exposure area 20, and the white balance area 30are used in describing this embodiment of the present invention.However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto.

FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating the focus area 10 displayed on thetouch screen 120 selected by a touch of the user.

FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating that the focus area 10 displayed onthe touch screen 120 is moved in accordance with movement of the touchof the user.

When the touch input on the focus area 10 is moved on the touch screen120 without being released, the touch screen 120 may move the focus area10 according to the movement of the touch input.

In a similar manner, after at least one of the focus area, the exposurearea, and the white balance area is displayed on the touch screen 120,when the touch screen 120 senses movement of a touch input on at leastone of the at least one areas, the touch screen 120 may move the area onwhich the touch input has occurred according to the movement of thetouch input.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which the focusarea and the white balance area are overlapped due to movement of theset white balance area, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The focus area 10, the exposure area 20, and the white balance area 30are used in describing this embodiment of the present invention.However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

FIG. 11A is a diagram illustrating the white balance area 30 displayedon the touch screen 120 and selected by a touch of the user.

FIG. 11B is a diagram illustrating the white balance area 30 displayedon the touch screen 120 and moved by moving a touch by the user.

When the touch input on the white balance area 30 is moved on the touchscreen 120 without being released, the touch screen 120 may move thewhite balance area 30 according to the movement of the touch input.

According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.11B, due to the movement of the white balance area 30, the white balancearea 30 may overlap the focus area 10 displayed on the touch screen. Thetouch screen 110 may display the white balance area 30 in front of thefocus area 10 on the touch screen 120.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which the focusarea and the white balance area are overlapped due to generation of thewhite balance area, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The focus area 10, the exposure area 20 and the white balance area 30are used in describing this embodiment of the present invention.However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto.

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating the exposure area 20 displayed on thetouch screen 120 and selected by a touch of the user.

FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating that the white balance area 30 isgenerated from the exposure area 20 on the touch screen 120.

When the touch input that has occurred on the exposure area 20 is movedon the touch screen 120 without being released after being held for apredetermined period of time, the white balance area 30 may be generatedon the touch screen 120.

According to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.12B, due to the generation of the white balance area 30, the whitebalance area 30 may overlap the focus area 10 displayed on the touchscreen. Here, the touch screen 110 may display the white balance area 30in front of the focus area 10 on the touch screen 120.

As described above, after at least two of the focus area, the exposurearea, and the white balance area are displayed on the touch screen 120,when overlap between the at least two areas occurs, the touch screen 120may display one of the at least two areas, on which a touch input hasmore recently occurred, in front of the other on the touch screen 120.

FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a screen on which a setexposure area is moved, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The focus area 10 and the exposure area 20 are used in describing thisembodiment of the present invention. However, the embodiments of thepresent invention are not limited thereto.

FIG. 13A is a diagram illustrating the focus area 10 and the exposurearea 20 set on the touch screen 120.

FIG. 13B is a diagram illustrating that the user touches an empty spaceon the touch screen 120.

The touch screen 120 may display the focus area 10 and the exposure area20, and may sense a second touch input at a position (x) that does notoverlap any area on the screen, i.e., the empty space. The second touchinput is a new touch input occurring on the empty space. A positionwhere the second touch input has occurred is referred to as a secondposition.

FIG. 13C is a diagram illustrating that the exposure area 20 is moved bythe fourth touch input.

The touch screen 120 moves one of the focus area 10 and the exposurearea 20, on which a touch input has more recently occurred, to thesecond position where the second touch input has occurred. For example,in the case where a touch on the exposure area 20 has occurred afteroccurrence of a touch on the focus area 10, the exposure area 20 may bemoved to the second position by the second touch of the user.

As described above, after at least one of the focus area, the exposurearea, and the white balance area is displayed on the touch screen 120,when the second touch input is sensed at a position that does notoverlap the at least one area, the area among the at least one area, onwhich a touch input has most recently occurred, may be moved to thesecond touch area where the second touch input has occurred.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which a settingis released, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The focus area 10, the exposure area 20, and the white balance area 30are used in describing this embodiment of the present invention.However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto.

FIG. 14A is a diagram illustrating that the user touches an empty spaceon the touch screen 120.

The touch screen 120 may display the focus area 10, the exposure area20, and the white balance area 30, and may sense a predetermined touchinput at a position (x) that does not overlap any area on the screen,i.e., the empty space.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predeterminedtouch input may be a double tap or a long touch.

FIG. 14B is a diagram illustrating that all areas set on the touchscreen 120 are released by the predetermined touch input of the user.

Specifically, in response to the predetermined touch input of the user,the touch screen 120 removes the focus area 10, the exposure area 20,and the white balance area 30 set on the screen.

As described above, after at least one of the focus area, the exposurearea, and the white balance area is displayed on the touch screen 120,when the predetermined touch input is sensed at a position that does notoverlap the at least one area, the at least one area may be removed fromthe touch screen 120.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are diagrams illustrating a screen on which a settingis released, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The focus area 10, the exposure area 20, and the white balance area 30are used in describing this embodiment of the present embodiment.However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limitedthereto.

FIG. 15A is a diagram illustrating that the user touches the exposurearea 20 displayed on the touch screen 120.

Specifically, the touch screen 120 displays the focus area 10, theexposure area 20, and the white balance area 30, and senses apredetermined touch input on the exposure area 20. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the predetermined touch input maybe a double tap.

FIG. 15B is a diagram illustrating that the setting of the exposure area20 on the touch screen 120 is released.

Specifically, in response to the predetermined touch input on theexposure area 20, the touch screen 120 removes the exposure area 20displayed on the touch screen 120, so as to release the setting of theexposure area 20.

As described above, after at least one of the focus area, the exposurearea, and the white balance area is displayed on the touch screen 120,when the predetermined touch input is sensed on an area, the area may beremoved from the touch screen 120.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting image captureconditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theflowchart illustrated in FIG. 16 includes processes that are performedin the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

According to this embodiment of the present invention, the area relatedto the first function and the area related to the second function aregenerated by a single touch on the touch screen 120.

The touch screen 120 senses the first touch input, in step 1610.

In step 1620, the touch screen 120 generates the area related to thefirst function at the first position where the first touch input hasoccurred. The control unit 130 may set the first function based on thearea related to the first function generated on the touch screen 120.

In step 1630, the control unit 130 determines whether the first touchinput is held for at least the first period of time at the firstposition. When the first touch input is not held at the first positionfor at least the first period of time, setting of the shooting conditionother than the first function is completed.

When the first touch input is held at the first position for at leastthe first period of time, the touch screen 120 generates the arearelated to the second function at the first position overlapping thearea related to the first function, in step 1640. The area related tothe second function may have a shape and a size that are different fromthose of the area related to the first function.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flowchart ofFIG. 16 may further include steps 1650 and 1660. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the area related to the firstfunction and the area related to the second function are generated by asingle touch on the touch screen 120, and the first function and thesecond function are set so as to capture a photograph.

In step 1650, the control unit 130 determines whether the first touchinput is released. When the first touch input is not released, theprocess repeats step 1650.

When the first touch input is released, the camera module 110 applies apredetermined function to an area related to the predetermined functiondisplayed on the touch screen 120 at the time of the release of thefirst touch input, in step 1660 so as to capture a photograph.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention.The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 17 includes processes that areperformed in the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, steps 1700 to 1740of FIG. 17 may follow step 1640 of FIG. 16. According to an embodimentof the present invention, the area related to the first function and thearea related to the second function may be generated at differentpositions by a single touch on the touch screen 120.

In step 1700, the control unit 130 determines whether the first touchinput is moved. When the first touch input is moved, the processproceeds to step 1710. When the first touch input is not moved, theprocess proceeds to step 1740.

In step 1710, the touch screen 120 moves the area related to the secondfunction according to the movement of the first touch input. The arearelated to the first function is maintained at the first positionwithout being moved with the area related to the second function.Accordingly, the area related to the second function may be movedseparately from the area related to the first function.

In step 1720, the control unit 130 determines whether the first touchinput is released while being spaced apart from the first position by atleast a predetermined distance. When the first touch input is releasedwhile being spaced apart from the first position by at least thepredetermined distance, the process proceeds to step 1730. When thefirst touch input is released while not being spaced apart from thefirst position by at least the predetermined distance, the processproceeds to step 1740.

In step 1730, the touch screen 120 displays the area related to thesecond function at a position where the first touch input has beenreleased. Accordingly, the area related to the first function and thearea related to the second function may be set by a single touch input.

In step 1740, the touch screen 120 removes the area related to thesecond function. Accordingly, the setting of the area related to thesecond function may be cancelled.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention.The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 18 includes processes that areperformed in the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flowchart ofFIG. 18 may be added at a position A of FIG. 17. According to anembodiment of the present invention, after the area related to the firstfunction and the area related to the second function are generated, thearea related to the third function may be directly generated from thearea related to the first function by a single touch on the touch screen120 instead of inputting a new touch input.

In step 1800, the control unit 130 determines whether the first touchinput is held for at least a second period of time at the firstposition. The second period of time is longer than the first period oftime. When the first touch input is held at the first position for atleast the second period of time, the process proceeds to step 1810. Whenthe first touch input is not held at the first position for at least thesecond period of time, the process proceeds to step 1700 of FIG. 17.

In step 1810, the touch screen 120 removes the area related to thesecond function. Accordingly, the setting of the area related to thesecond function may be cancelled.

In step 1820, the touch screen 120 generates the area related to thethird function at the first position overlapping the area related to thefirst function. The area related to the third function may have a shapeand a size different from those of the area related to the firstfunction and the area related to the second function.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flowchart ofFIG. 18 may further include steps 1830 to 1870.

In step 1830, the control unit 130 determines whether the first touchinput is moved. When the first touch input is moved, the processproceeds to step 1840. When the first touch input is not moved, theprocess proceeds to step 1870.

In step 1840, the touch screen 120 moves the area related to the thirdfunction according to the movement of the first touch input. The arearelated to the first function is maintained at the first positionwithout being moved with the area related to the third function.Accordingly, the area related to the third function may be separatedfrom the area related to the first function so as to be moved.

In step 1850, the control unit 130 determines whether the first touchinput is released while being spaced apart from the first position by atleast the predetermined distance. When the first touch input is releasedwhile being spaced apart from the first position by at least thepredetermined distance, the process proceeds to step 1860. When thefirst touch input is released while not being spaced apart from thefirst position by at least the predetermined distance, the processproceeds to step 1870.

In step 1860, the touch screen 120 displays the area related to thethird function at a position where the first touch input has beenreleased. Accordingly, the area related to the first function and thearea related to the third function may be set by a single touch.

In step 1870, the touch screen 120 removes the area related to the thirdfunction. Accordingly, the generation of the area related to the thirdfunction may be cancelled.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention.The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 19 includes processes that areperformed in the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the area related to thethird function is generated by using the area related to the secondfunction, which was previously generated and displayed on the touchscreen 120.

In step 1910, the touch screen 120 senses a second touch input on thearea related to the second function.

In step 1920, the control unit 130 determines whether the second touchinput is held for at least the first period of time at a secondposition. The second position represents a position where the secondtouch input has occurred. When the second touch input is held at thesecond position for at least the first period of time, the processproceeds to step 1930. When the second touch input is not held at thesecond position for at least the first period of time, the setting ofthe image capture conditions is finished.

In step 1930, the control unit 130 generates the area related to thethird function at the second position overlapping the area related tothe second function.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flowchart ofFIG. 19 may further include steps 1940 to 1980.

In step 1940, the control unit 130 determines whether the second touchinput is moved. When the second touch input is moved, the processproceeds to step 1950. When the second touch input is not moved, theprocess proceeds to step 1980.

In step 1950, the touch screen 120 moves the area related to the thirdfunction according to the movement of the touch input. The area relatedto the second function is maintained at the second position withoutbeing moved with the area related to the third function. Accordingly,the area related to the third function may be moved separately from thearea related to the second function.

In step 1960, the control unit 130 determines whether the second touchinput is released while being spaced apart from the second position byat least the predetermined distance. When the second touch input isreleased while being spaced apart from the second position by at leastthe predetermined distance, the process proceeds to step 1970. When thesecond touch input is released while not being spaced apart from thesecond position by at least the predetermined distance, the processproceeds to step 1980.

In step 1970, the touch screen 120 displays the area related to thethird function at a position where the second touch input has beenreleased. Accordingly, the area related to the third function may be setapart from the area related to the second function.

In step 1980, the touch screen 120 removes the area related to the thirdfunction. Accordingly, the setting of the area related to the thirdfunction may be cancelled.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for setting the imagecapture conditions, according to an embodiment of the present invention.The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 20 includes processes that areperformed in the electronic device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In this embodiment of the present invention, a new area related to thesecond function is generated by using the area related to the secondfunction, which was previously generated and displayed on the touchscreen 120. Hereinafter, the area related to the second function whichwas previously generated and displayed on the touch screen 120 isreferred to as a first area related to the second function, and thenewly generated area related to the second function is referred to as asecond area related to the second function.

In step 2010, the touch screen 120 senses a second touch input on thefirst area related to the second function.

In step 2020, the control unit 130 determines whether the second touchinput is held for at least the first period of time at a secondposition. The second position represents a position where the secondtouch input has occurred. When the second touch input is held at thethird position for at least the first period of time, the processproceeds to step 2030. When the second touch input is not held at thethird position for at least the first period of time, the setting of theimage capture conditions is completed.

In step 2030, the control unit 130 generates the second area related tothe second function at the second position overlapping the first arearelated to the second function.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flowchart ofFIG. 20 may further include steps 2040 to 2080.

In step 2040, the control unit 130 determines whether the second touchinput is moved. When the second touch input is moved, the processproceeds to step 2050. When the second touch input is not moved, theprocess proceeds to step 2080.

In step 2050, the touch screen 120 moves the second area related to thesecond function according to the movement of the touch input. The firstarea related to the second function is maintained at the second positionwithout being moved with the second area related to the second function.Accordingly, the second area related to the second function may be movedseparately from the first area related to the second function.

In step 2060, the control unit 130 determines whether the second touchinput is released while being spaced apart from the second position byat least the predetermined distance. When the second touch input isreleased while being spaced apart from the second position by at leastthe predetermined distance, the process proceeds to step 2070. When thesecond touch input is released while not being spaced apart from thesecond position by at least the predetermined distance, the processproceeds to step 2080.

In step 2070, the touch screen 120 displays the second area related tothe second function at a position where the second touch input has beenreleased. Accordingly, the second area related to the second functionmay be set apart from the first area related to the second function.

In step 2080, the touch screen 120 removes the second area related tothe second function. Accordingly, the setting of the second area relatedto the second function may be cancelled.

The above-described methods may be programmed to be executed by acomputer, and may be implemented in a general digital computer whichexecutes the program using a computer readable medium. The computerreadable recording medium includes magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM,floppy disks, hard disks, etc.) and optical recording media (e.g.,CD-ROMs, or DVDs).

The method for setting the image capture conditions and the electronicdevice according to various embodiments of the present invention mayprovide an interface enabling a user to set first and second functionsat desired positions by a single touch.

Therefore, the user may easily set the image capture conditions througha simple touch on a screen without additionally learning controlmethods.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

1. An electronic device, comprising: a camera module; a touch screen;and a processor configured to: display a first user interface (UI) and asecond UI on the touch screen if an input on the touch screen is heldfor at least a first period of time, wherein the first UI is configuredto execute a first function of the camera module and the second UI isconfigured to execute a second function of the camera module.
 2. Theelectronic device of claim 1, wherein each of the first UI and thesecond UI is one of an auto focus function, an auto exposure function, awhite balance function, a zoom function, and shooting-related function.3. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to perform image capturing by applying at least one of thefirst function and the second function.
 4. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to move the secondUI on the touch screen in accordance with a movement of a second inputon the second UI.
 5. The electronic device of claim 4, wherein thesecond UI is moved to a position corresponding to the second input untilthe second input is released on the touch screen.
 6. The electronicdevice of claim 4, wherein the processor is further configured toexecute the second function of the camera module based on a position ofthe second UI if the second input is released on the touch screen. 7.The electronic device of claim 4, wherein the first UI is maintained ata position on the touch screen while the second UI moves.
 8. Theelectronic device of claim 4, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to move the first UI on the touch screen in accordance with amovement of a third input on the first UI.
 9. The electronic device ofclaim 8, wherein the first UI is moved to a position corresponding tothe third input until the third input is released on the touch screen.10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to execute the first function of the camera module based on aposition of the first UI if the third input is released on the touchscreen.
 11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the second UI ismaintained at a position on the touch screen while the first UI moves.12. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to move the second UI on the touch screen in accordance witha movement of the input, wherein the second UI is moved to a positioncorresponding to the input until the input is released on the touchscreen.
 13. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: remove the second UI and display a third UI ifthe input is maintained for at least a second period of time that islonger than the first period of time, wherein the third UI is configuredto execute a third function of the camera module; and move the third UIon the touch screen in accordance with a movement of the input, whereinthe third UI is moved to a position corresponding to the input until theinput is released on the touch screen.
 14. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: display a thirdUI if a second input on the second UI is held for at least the firstperiod of time, wherein the third UI is configured to execute a thirdfunction of the camera module; and move the third UI on the touchscreenin accordance with a movement of the second input, wherein the third UIis moved to a position corresponding to the second input until thesecond input is released on the touch screen.
 15. The electronic deviceof claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to: display athird UI if a second input on the second UI is held for at least thefirst period of time, wherein the third UI is configured to execute thesecond function of the camera module and has a size that is differentthan that of the second UI; and move the third UI on the touch screen inaccordance with a movement of the input, wherein the third UI is movedto a position corresponding to the second input until the second inputis released on the touch screen.
 16. The electronic device of claim 15,wherein the processor is further configured to execute the secondfunction based on an average of the second UI and the third UI.
 17. Theelectronic device of claim 15, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to: execute the second function for each of the second UI andthe third UI; and sequentially perform image capturing based on eachexecuting of the second function.
 18. A method for setting image captureconditions, the method comprising: receiving, by a touch screen, aninput; displaying on the touch screen, by a processor, a first userinterface (UI) and a second UI if the input on the touch screen is heldfor at least a first period of time, wherein the first UI is configuredto execute a first function of a camera module and the second UI isconfigured to execute a second function of the camera module.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, further comprising: moving the second UI on thetouch screen in accordance with a movement of a second input on thesecond UI.
 20. An electronic device, comprising: a camera module; atouch screen; and a processor configured to: display a first userinterface (UI) and a second UI on the touch screen if an input on apreview image on the touch screen is held for at least a first period oftime, wherein the first UI is configured to execute a first function ofthe camera module and the second UI is configured to execute a secondfunction of the camera module.
 21. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the processor is further configured to: execute the firstfunction of the camera module based on a position of the first UI, andexecute the second function of the camera module based on a position ofthe second UI.
 22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein at leastpart of the position of the first UI and at least part of the positionof the second UI are overlapped.